Where Are They Now?
Q: Catch us up. Tell us what you’re doing.
A: I'm currently documenting and organizing lessons learned from the NASA Johnson Space Center Public Affairs community from the Artemis II mission. I need to compile the feedback and organize a follow-up meeting to discuss. The same team will implement improvements for Artemis III.
Q: Please share with us some information about your family.
A: My parents are originally from Wilkes-Barre. We moved to Cranberry in 2004, and my parents are still there today. I am in Houston, TX, with my wife and two kids. My brother Cory (also a Seneca Valley grad) lives in Colorado with his wife. They are expecting a baby boy any day now.
Q: What might (someone) be surprised to know about you?
A: I’ve lived in Houston for more than 11 years at this point and still refuse to say "y’all." Still doesn’t sit right to me.
Q: How did Seneca Valley help you become the person you are today, both personally and professionally?
A: I consider Mr. McKosky (my TV Production teacher in high school) an inspiration for setting the course to get where I am professionally. Even living in Houston, I still consider my SV friends some of my best friends. We continue to reunite periodically.
Q: What do you think makes Seneca Valley such a special place to learn and grow?
A: Friends, opportunity and a great launching point for higher education.
Q: Who was your favorite teacher/coach/SV staff member?
A: Mr. Dan McKosky
Q: What is one of your favorite memories from your time at Seneca Valley? We’d encourage you to recall a moment or event that had a particularly strong influence on your life.
A: In my sophomore year, I had the lead role in a senior's project that was a parody play of "The Odyssey." On and off stage, that was my favorite play.
Q: If you had one message for teachers or staff, what would it be?
A: Kids can be silly and reckless (I know, as a former silly and reckless kid). But, it may be the silly and reckless moments that serve as a launch point to define that kid’s career.
Q: What do you wish other people knew about Seneca Valley?
A: It is a great school. If you work for it, expansive opportunities can open up, not limited to the local area (as great as it is), if that's the course for you.
Q: Catch us up. Tell us what you’re doing.
A: Today, I am a first-year medical student at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton, PA. Entering medical school has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding, and I often find myself reflecting on how the foundation for this path was laid years ago at Seneca Valley.
Q: Please share with us some information about your family.
A: A little fun fact about my family is that we are deeply rooted in the Seneca Valley community. My great aunt was part of the very first graduating class, and my aunts, uncles and parents all proudly graduated from Seneca Valley, as well. My mom, Mrs. Peffer has dedicated 31 years to teaching at Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School (CVE), so SV has truly been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.
Q: How did Seneca Valley help you become the person you are today, both personally and professionally?
A: Seneca Valley helped shape me both personally and professionally by surrounding me with role models who embody compassion, dedication, and integrity. Even back in my elementary years, I was given a strong foundation – not just in reading, writing and spelling, but in understanding what it meant to be a kind, responsible and thoughtful person. I still think about my fifth grade teacher Mr. Parish (retired teacher and coach from Seneca Valley after 34 years of service) who made it a point to teach us life lessons alongside academics. Many of the values he emphasized are ones I continue to carry with me today.
As I moved into high school and began exploring what I wanted my future to look like, I was fortunate to learn from teachers who helped me discover my passions. One of the most influential was Ms. Finch, my anatomy teacher. Her enthusiasm for science was contagious, and she created a classroom environment where curiosity was encouraged. She not only deepened my love for the sciences but also modeled what thoughtful mentorship looks like. This ultimately played a major role in shaping my own desire to mentor others, especially now as I navigate medical school. My teachers at Seneca Valley laid the groundwork for the work ethic, resilience and sense of purpose that continue to guide me today.
Q: What do you think makes Seneca Valley such a special place to learn and grow?
A: For me, what makes Seneca Valley such a special place to learn and grow is the sense of community that exists despite the size of the district. Even in such a large school system, you never feel like just a number. My teachers throughout the years were more than educators – they were mentors who supported me in every aspect of life. Whether it was Mrs. McLachlan (retired after 22 years of service at SV) making Food Chemistry the class I laughed the hardest in, or Mr. Trew (retired teacher and coach from Seneca Valley after 25 years of service) returning and relearning Organic Chemistry as a substitute teacher just so he could help us succeed, there was always a genuine sense that the staff truly cared about their students. That level of dedication and personal investment is what sets Seneca Valley apart.
Q: Who was your favorite teacher/coach/SV staff member?
A: Looking back on my time at Seneca Valley, I truly can’t choose just one favorite teacher because so many of them made a lasting impact on my life. However, when I think about someone who shaped me not only as a student but as a person, Coach Leo immediately comes to mind. She was my coach on the basketball court, but her influence extended far beyond the game.
There are countless reasons why she has been such a positive force in my life, but two moments stand out – both of which happened after she was no longer officially my coach. In high school, I was definitely a perfectionist, especially when it came to my grades. I remember running into her one day and telling her how upset I was about getting my first B in physics. She looked at me and said, “Good. I’m glad you got it out of the way now.” At the time, I didn’t understand what she meant, but she was right. She was teaching me that perfection isn’t human, and that setbacks are often the moments that help us grow the most.
Another thing about Coach Leo is that she shows up for people — even when she may not be feeling her best. She took time to have lunch with me during my senior year when life felt uncertain. She still cheers on the SV Girls Basketball team. She checks in on my sister and follows her college basketball career. She is one of the most supportive and selfless individuals I know. I feel incredibly blessed to have her in my life. Her encouragement, honesty and unwavering belief in her players — past and present — continue to influence me long after graduating from Seneca Valley.
Q: What is one of your favorite memories from your time at Seneca Valley? We’d encourage you to recall a moment or event that had a particularly strong influence on your life.
A: When I think back on all my favorite memories from my time at Seneca Valley, there’s one overarching theme that ties them all together — the meaningful relationships I built. Whether it was the lifelong friendships that formed or the mentors who guided me along the way, the people I met at Seneca Valley had a profound and lasting influence on who I am today. Those connections shaped my confidence, my values and the way I show up for others, and they remain some of the most impactful parts of my high school experience.
Q: If you had one message for teachers or staff, what would it be?
A: If I could share one message with all my teachers and coaches, it would simply be thank you — thank you for showing me the true importance of mentorship. Whether it was the guidance you offered, the encouragement you gave or the example you set through your own character, each of you played a role in shaping the person I am today. You taught me how to work hard, how to believe in myself and how to show up for others. Those lessons have carried me all the way to medical school and continue to guide me every day.
I hope you all know how grateful I am that, out of all the staff at Seneca Valley, God placed you in my life — not only as academic educators, but as mentors who helped me navigate life as a whole. Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom, and I carry it with me wherever I go.
Q: What do you wish other people knew about Seneca Valley?
A: I wish more people knew that Seneca Valley isn’t just a big school — it’s a big community. Despite its size, it’s a place where students are truly seen, supported and encouraged to grow into the best versions of themselves. The relationships you build, the opportunities you’re given and the way teachers and staff invest in you make it feel personal in a rare way. Seneca Valley is a district where you’re never just a number; you’re part of something larger, something meaningful and something that stays with you long after you graduate.
Q: Catch us up. Tell us what you’re doing today:
A: After graduating from SV, I went on to pursue my Bachelor's in Environmental Engineering at the University of Georgia and graduated in 2023. Currently, I live in Orlando, Florida, and am working as a Traffic Engineer In Training. Mainly I work in traffic studies and retiming, which includes analyzing intersections for installation of traffic signals, redesign of signing and pavement markings, and retiming signals to improve traffic flow. I also spend time out in the field taking speed measurements, setting up traffic cameras and driving the corridor before/after retiming. In my free time, I'm a huge roller coaster enthusiast, so I usually go to Universal or Disney once or twice a week.
Q: Please share with us some information about your family.
A: Both of my parents were born and raised in the Pittsburgh area before moving around a few times after they got married. They always knew they wanted to come back to the 'Burgh, so when they had an opportunity to return in time for me to start school, they jumped at the chance. They're huge Penguins fans and also play in a rock band!
Q: What might (someone) be surprised to know about you?
A: I think that one of the most surprising things to know about me is that I'm also a performer. I design, sew and choreograph for the local art scene when work isn't as busy. I think we often see the arts and STEM as very separate disciplines, but I've found that they're amazingly intertwined. I've found that having a creative outlet is crucial to prevent burnout in STEM, and that having good fundamentals of algebra, biology, physics, etc., is necessary to produce high-caliber art.
Q: How did Seneca Valley help you become the person you are today, both personally and professionally?
A: Seneca Valley played a huge part in giving me access to AP (Advanced Placement) and CHS (College in High School) classes that allowed me to get ahead on my degree. These courses engrained in me the value of preparedness. Because I was ahead in my degree, I could take fewer classes per semester, allowing me to focus more on each course and get better grades. Even to this day, I try to prepare as best as I can for any work projects so that I can handle any curve balls that come my way.
Q: What do you think makes Seneca Valley such a special place to learn and grow?
A: In my personal experience, the most special part of Seneca Valley was seeing my friends grow up with me. I was very fortunate to graduate alongside many kids from my kindergarten class, and being alongside them for those 13 years allowed me to form extremely deep connections that I feel will be with me for the rest of my life.
Q: Who was your favorite teacher/coach/SV staff member?
A: It is very hard to choose a favorite, but I'd say the teacher that really influenced my path after graduation was Mr. John Fetchko. He saw my passion for science, believed in my abilities, and pushed me to accept nothing but the best from myself. Shout out to Ms. Christ, Ms. Nassan, Mrs. Palaski and both Mr. Magills, too.
Q: What is one of your favorite memories from your time at Seneca Valley? We’d encourage you to recall a moment or event that had a particularly strong influence on your life.
A: My favorite memory from Seneca Valley was during my junior or senior year when the Show Choir and Madrigals went to Rowan Elementary and Haine Elementary School to perform for the holidays. It was amazing to look out into the crowd and see all of my past teachers in the audience.
Q: If you had one message for teachers or staff, what would it be?
A: Keep encouraging your students to pursue what they dream of. It was a big leap for me to go out of state for college, but I felt supported and prepared because I had people who believed in me.
Q: What do you wish other people knew about Seneca Valley?
A: I wish people knew that Seneca Valley is a great representation of the communities it serves.
Q: Catch us up. Tell us what you’re doing.
A: I am currently the Chief of Police for the Jackson Township Police Department. I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Criminal Justice Training Center in 1995 and have been working with Jackson Township for the last 28 years. Prior to my role as Chief, I served as a Patrolman, Corporal and Sergeant. I also specialized in Collision Reconstruction and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement. Previously, I worked for the Adams Township and Middlesex Township Police Departments.
Q: Please share with us some information about your family.
A: I am married to my wife Rosslyn and have two children, Joseph and Olivia, who are both students and athletes at Slippery Rock University.
Q: What might (someone) be surprised to know about you?
A: My wife and I enjoy traveling, and our favorite destination is Aruba.
Q: How did Seneca Valley help you become the person you are today, both personally and professionally?
A: Seneca Valley helped me become the person I am today by providing me the opportunity to compete in athletics. I played for the varsity football team, and those experiences on the field taught me life lessons that I’ve carried with me and continue to use daily.
Q: Who was your favorite teacher/coach/SV staff member?
A: My favorite teacher/coach was Tim Parish (retired teacher and coach from Seneca Valley after 34 years of service). He was a brand-new teacher for the first half of my fifth-grade year at Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School (CVE) and ended up being my offensive line coach while I was on the varsity football team.
Q: What is one of your favorite memories from your time at Seneca Valley? We’d encourage you to recall a moment or event that had a particularly strong influence on your life.
A: My favorite memory was being part of the football team. I am a firm believer that athletics teaches many life lessons such as responsibility, dedication, perseverance and the need to self-sacrifice for the good of the team. I have used many of these lessons in both my personal and professional life.
Q: If you had one message for teachers or staff, what would it be?
A: Today’s workforce needs well-adjusted and mature critical thinkers to carry on the tough work in real-world environments that are required to make our society function. Be firm, but fair with your students.
Q: Catch us up. Tell us what you’re doing.
A: Since graduating from SV, my life has definitely been an adventure! I earned a BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah University, an MFA in Acting from DePaul University. My career has taken me around the world, performing in plays, television, commercials, and films and I still can’t believe I get to call this my job!
Q: What might (someone) be surprised to know about you?
A: I’ve lived in a lot of places as a traveling artist, but the weirdest was probably spending a full year at a Renaissance Faire—living right above a Scotch Egg restaurant. I’ve since become a vegan!
Q: How did Seneca Valley help you become the person you are today, both personally and professionally?
A: I often talk about how fortunate I was to have access to such a rich arts program at Seneca Valley. I had teachers like Ms. Bobi-Jean Alexander, Ms. Toni Keefer, Ms. Marcie Agostinelli, Ms. Amber Hugus, and Ms. Lynn Stewart—just to name a few—who encouraged me to grow, take risks and continue to fall in love with performing. In classes and after-school activities, I had the opportunity to sing a wide range of choral music styles and perform in numerous plays, musicals, and even devised theatrical works, which were essential in developing my unique artistic voice.
Q: What do you think makes Seneca Valley such a special place to learn and grow?
A: I have to say, I’m wildly jealous of how SV’s arts program has grown since I graduated! In a time when the arts are often the first thing cut from public education, it makes me so proud to see Seneca Valley investing in its students. The arts give people an outlet to connect, express themselves and develop empathy and communication skills that are absolutely essential to our humanity. SV students are the luckiest!
Q: Who was your favorite teacher/coach/SV staff member?
A: As I mentioned above, Ms. Bobi-Jean Alexander, Ms. Toni Keefer, Ms. Marcie Agostinelli, Ms. Amber Hugus, and Ms. Lynn Stewart were deeply invested in my growth as an artist. I spent hours after school talking, working and growing with that incredible crew. I still vividly remember being in Mr. Matchett’s Music Theory class—trying to notate Ella Fitzgerald scatting—and nearly losing my mind because it was so hard! But, it absolutely sharpened my ear and strengthened my ability to read and write music. And of course, Mr. Semega—I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have passed the SATs without him!
Q: What is one of your favorite memories from your time at Seneca Valley? We’d encourage you to recall a moment or event that had a particularly strong influence on your life.
A: One of my favorite memories from my time at Seneca was auditioning for the school musicals—and not getting a lead role. In those big productions, I was often cast as a supporting character, and I remember feeling so disappointed at first. But our musical directors encouraged me to take those roles and run with them—and run I did!
Even back in elementary school, I didn’t land the lead, but I did get to play Tom Sawyer’s mother. She had a crying scene, and I didn’t just weep—I wailed and absolutely chewed up the scenery. Bless that entire cast for their patience and grace with a very dramatic fifth grader!
Q: If you had one message for teachers or staff, what would it be?
A: Thank you. Thank you for seeing me, for allowing me to grow, for giving me the space to make mistakes, to be a messy teenager and to find my voice during that time. You helped lay the foundation for who I am today.
Q: What do you wish other people knew about Seneca Valley?
A: You are so lucky to have all of these incredible arts programs—so soak up every second! Do something that scares you, knowing you have teachers and administrators who will catch you. Ask tons of questions. Be unique, be curious, be open. That’s the key to success, no matter where you go.